Embedded electronic device and method of implementing user interface therein

ABSTRACT

An embedded electronic device includes a display and a user interface system shown on the display. The user interface system includes a plurality of item display modules and item resource modules. Each item display module includes a position sub-module operable to position the item resource module, and a connection sub-module capable of linking to the item resource module. Each item resource module has at least one resource path sub-module to retrieve a resource.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to interfaces, and particularly to a method of implementing a user interface for an embedded electronic device.

2. Description of Related Art

Embedded devices, such as digital photo frames (DPFs) are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience and ease of implementing particular functions. However, it is desirable to modularize function items for the user interface of the embedded device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with references to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a block view of an embedded electronic device.

FIG. 2 is a block view of an item display module.

FIG. 3 is a block view of an item resource module.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of generation of a user interface of an embedded electronic device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embedded electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

In general, the word “module,” as used herein, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language, such as, for example, Java, C, or assembly. One or more software instructions in the modules may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. It will be appreciated that modules may comprised connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and may comprise programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors. The modules described herein may be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and may be stored in any type of computer-readable medium or other computer storage device.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embedded electronic device includes a user interface system and a display showing the user interface system. The user interface system includes a plurality of item display modules and item resource modules. Each item display module is set in a fixed position corresponding to an item resource module. Each item resource module can be displayed on any of the item display modules.

Referring to FIG. 2, each item display module includes a position sub-module and a connection sub-module. The position sub-module locates the item resource module on the display. The connection sub-module connects to the item resource module.

Referring to FIG. 3, each item resource module includes a title sub-module, a description sub-module, a first resource path sub-module, a second resource path sub-module, and a language sub-module. The title sub-module defines a title of the item resource module. The description sub-module describes function of the item resource module. The first resource path sub-module connects to a first resource (for example, a small picture). The second resource path sub-module connects to a second resource (for example, a large picture). The language sub-module can configure different languages.

A resource may be a image or text.

FIG. 4 of generation of a user interface of an embedded electronic device. Depending on the embodiment, additional blocks in the flow of FIG. 4 may be added, others removed, and the ordering of the blocks may be changed.

In block S01, an extensible markup language (XML) file with the item display modules and the item resource modules stored therein is opened.

In block S02, an XML parser analyzes the XML document to locate corresponding resources.

In block S03, the connection sub-module connects to the corresponding item resource modules.

In block S04, the first or second resource path sub-module locates the resources and displays the located resources on the display.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the display in the embedded electronic device. The user interface system includes a plurality of item resource modules, such as setup module, calendar module, clock module, and weather module. Each item resource module is linked to the item display module. When a directional control is activated, a corresponding module is centered on the display. The second resource path sub-module locates a large image of the calendar for display. When the module is selected, the user interface system implements the corresponding service.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

It is also to be understood that the above description and the claims drawn to a method may include some indication in reference to certain steps. However, the indication used is only to be viewed for identification purposes and not as a suggestion as to an order for the steps. 

1. An embedded electronic device, comprising: a display; a user interface system shown on the display, the user interface system comprising a plurality of item display modules and item resource modules, each item display module comprising a position sub-module operable to position the item resource module; and a connection sub-module linking to the item resource module; wherein each item resource module comprises at least one resource path sub-module employed to retrieve a resource.
 2. The embedded electronic device of claim 1, wherein the item resource module and the item display module are XML (Extensible Markup Language) documents.
 3. The embedded electronic device of claim 2, wherein the user interface system further comprises an XML parser to analyze the XML document.
 4. The embedded electronic device of claim 1, wherein the item resource is an image resource or a text resource.
 5. The embedded electronic device of claim 1, wherein the item resource module comprises a title sub-module and a description sub-module for the resource.
 6. The embedded electronic device of claim 1, wherein each item resource module comprises two resource path sub-modules to locate different resource types.
 7. A method of implementing a user interface in an embedded electronic device, comprising: an XML (Extensible Markup Language) parser analyzing an item display module and an item resource module; the item display module showing the analyzed item resource module on a display; and the item resource module retrieving a resource through a resource path sub-module and showing the resource on the item display module.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the item resource module and the item display module comprise XML (Extensible Markup Language) documents.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein an XML parser is set in the user interface system to parse the XML document.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the resource is an image resource or a text resource.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein each item resource module comprises two resource path sub-modules to locate different resource types.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the item resource module comprises a title sub-module and a description sub-module for the resource. 